Lenovo 'AI for All' Strategy Aligns Artificial Intelligence Products, Services and Sustainability

PC and data center infrastructure provider Lenovo unveiled an "AI for All" strategy -- aligned with sustainability -- at the company's Lenovo Tech World 2023 conference in Austin, Texas.

During a keynote, CEO Yuanqing Yang (top of page, right) described how Lenovo is "unleashing the power of AI to drive intelligent transformation in every aspect of our lives and in every industry – from pocket to cloud with purpose-built AI-ready devices, infrastructure, solutions, and services that empower industries, enterprises, and individuals around the world."

NVIDIA Founder, President and CEO Jensen Huang (top of page, left) reinforced Yang's message by expanding NVIDIA's AI partnership with Lenovo.

Lenovo Expands AI Investments, Technology Partnerships

The AI for All initiative surfaced roughly two months after Lenovo in August 2023 announced an "additional US$1 billion investment over three years to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) deployment for businesses around the world – specifically AI devices, AI infrastructure, and AI solutions."

Prominent executives from several major technology companies described their artificial intelligence partnerships with Lenovo. Key guests -- on stage and via video link -- included:

• NVIDIA's Huang;
• AMD Chair and CEO, Dr. Lisa Su;
• Formula 1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali;
• Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella;
• Qualcomm CEO and President, Cristiano Amon; and
• Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger.

Lenovo AI for All Strategy: NVIDIA Partnership, Sustainability Efforts

Where does sustainability fit into the AI for All strategy? The short answer involves Lenovo's Solutions and Services Group (SSG), which launched:

• An AI Professional Services Practice, in collaboration with NVIDIA, to help "customers fast track AI implementation from concept to results."
• Care of One Platform, an AI-powered solution that "provides insights and support to help companies create the optimal work environment and enhance employee experience and productivity."
• Sustainability AI Engine, which helps "companies visualize the influence of business choices that could impact their sustainability objectives and choose the best sustainability options to achieve their desired outcome."

IT services have been a strong growth engine for Lenovo. During Q1 of the company's current fiscal year, SSG revenue was $1.7 billion -- up 18% compared to the corresponding quarter last year. Also, SSG operating margin was more than 21% during the quarter.

Ken Wong, executive VP and president of Lenovo’s Solutions & Services Group (SSG), leads the IT services effort. The company did not say if or when channel partners will be able to offer Lenovo's new AI services to their end-customers.

Hardware, AI and Sustainability: What's Next?

Within its own business, Lenovo has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. Key Lenovo rivals also have high-profile sustainability efforts under way. Examples include:

• HP launched a PC refurbishment program and boosted small business printer sustainability in October 2023. Moreover, the company in March 2023 unveiled the HP Amplify Impact program -- which allows partners to align with HP's Sustainable Impact strategy.
• Apple introduced carbon neutral watches in September 2023 and vowed to gradually make all of its products carbon neutral. On the software front, Apple launched Grid Forecast Software to help consumers leverage renewable energy.
•  Dell says that over 50% of product content and 100% of packaging will be made from recycled or renewable materials by 2030.

So what's next? It sounds like Lenovo will tout "sustainable computing in the era of AI" and "AI at the core of sustainable computing" during the Tech World 2023 conference on October 26.